Pizza Hut already says it has more restaurant locations in the world than any other pizza company: nearly 17,000 in more than 100 countries. Now the brand is planning another international push, this time with Madrid-based pizza giant Telepizza Group.

In the six months since we brought you the story about rough-and-tumble Tough Mudder expanding into the fitness business, the brand has crossed some impressive milestones as it prepares to open its new flagship location in Massachusetts.

A California court’s $8.8 million jury award to El Pollo Loco franchisees Michael and Janice Bryman in early May breaks new ground in franchise law, said their attorney, Robert Zarco of Zarco Law in Miami, although the franchisor said it will appeal the verdict and outside attorneys don’t necessarily see it the same way.

“Denny’s has been off again, on again with international,” said Steve Dunn, the company’s chief global development officer. Now the brand is focusing its efforts on finding experienced operators in countries and regions where Denny’s is already in demand.

At the Franchise Times Finance & Growth Conference, I was extremely impressed by Philipp Sitter of King’s Bierhaus, a German beer and bratwurst concept based in Houston. As he seeks to grow beyond its single company unit, I was pleased to see news that the brand partnered with Fransmart to aid its expansion.

Main Squeeze Juice Co. and former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston have announced a partnership to open a flagship store on Magazine Street in New Orleans. Colston and his wife, Emily, will also assist the brand’s executive team to support its national expansion plans.

Teriyaki Madness CEO Michael Haith’s presentation started with a rap on Asian food: “Teriyaki madness, you’ve got to have this, if you haven’t had this, teriyaki madness," (repeat again and again at a staccato cadence).

“I’ve been waiting for this presentation all day,” said a man in the front row as SubZero Ice Cream founders Jerry and Naomi Hancock hauled in their equipment—three gallons of cream, a stainless steel bowl, a big blue cooler on wheels and, most unusually, a 50-liter tank of liquid nitrogen at a cool minus-350 degrees F.

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The 10 largest franchise brands roared back in 2016 after losing sales the prior year for the first time in the history of the Franchise Times Top 200+. Adding an impressive $7.8 billion in combined global sales during 2016, the top 10 companies grew sales by 2.8 percent.

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In each April issue of Franchise Times, we feature our annual list of the industry's Legal Eagles: Franchise lawyers at the top of their game, the rainmakers, the go-to guys, adversaries and clients alike.